SFI Condemns Rustication of JNUSU Leaders, Calls It Targeted Attack on Student Democracy

New Delhi: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has strongly condemned the rustication and out-of-bounds orders issued against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) office bearers, including the SFI representative and JNUSU Vice-President Comrade Gopika Babu.

The organisation has termed the JNU administration’s action an unprecedented and targeted attack on the democratic rights of the student community.

In a statement issued by its Central Executive Committee, SFI said that along with the rustication orders, the administration has imposed hefty fines amounting to 19,000 rupees on several student representatives. Those fined include the SFI JNU President, SSS councillor Comrade Utsa, SAA councillor Comrade Deevya, and former SAA councillor Comrade Krishnapriya.

According to SFI, these punitive measures were taken against students for participating in a peaceful protest opposing the surveillance system installed at the Dr. B R Ambedkar Central Library. The organisation pointed out that the timing of the crackdown is significant, as it coincides with preparations by students to intensify mobilisation against the staying of the UGC Promotion of Equity Regulations, 2026, with mass protest programs scheduled across the campus.

SFI said that the actions of the JNU administration are a deliberate attempt to weaken and intimidate collective student resistance. Suspension of elected representatives, the statement said, reflects what it described as an “anti-student agenda” and the growing trend of normalising disciplinary action, including monetary fines, against democratic forms of protest on campus.

The organisation further stated that the administration’s approach mirrors a broader pattern of curbing dissent, affecting not only students but also faculty members and non-teaching staff. SFI stated that these measures by the University align with the political interests of the BJPand RSS. The SFI statement stated that the University is using policing and punitive actions to silence democratic voices.

Calling for wider support, SFI appealed to students across the country and democratic forces to stand in solidarity with the JNU students. The organisation urged collective resistance against what it described as a targeted assault on student democracy and the right to dissent.